Inmates Of MCCI Graduate With GEDs

Photo courtesy Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office

MONMOUTH COUNTY – Four inmates from the Monmouth County Correctional Institution graduated their five-month, online GED program on Jan. 17, receiving their high school diplomas from the State of NJ.

The online GED program is run by the Monmouth-Ocean Educational Services Commission. It began in the jail back in 2007 and has since graduated 193 inmates, including these most recent four.

“I am gratified by the commitment made by today’s graduates to use their time at MCCI in a constructive manner that will benefit them for the rest of their lives,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden at the graduation ceremony held at the MCCI. “The wrong choices that brought the graduates to MCCI have provided these individuals the opportunity to make right choices about furthering their education and changing their lives.”

Through the program, the inmates study math, science, social studies, reading and writing for five days of the week to prepare for the GED exam at the end of the five-month period. The online program runs throughout the whole year, however.

“Education is the key to a productive future,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “No one can take that knowledge away. I’m hopeful these graduates will use it as they move forward and transition back into society for the purpose of positive change.”

MCCI is helping these inmates create a brighter future for themselves by assisting them in going back to school. It not only teaches the inmates in various subject areas, but it also teaches them how to use their time productively.

The Monmouth Ocean Educational Services Commission is made up of Stuart Veeder, GED Teacher and Loren Basselini, Director of Education.  Lt. Richard Vilacoba and Capt. John Kolodziej handle the program administration for the Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division.